Oran England crowned 2026 Motorsport Ireland National Class 2 Champion after dramatic finale

Virginia driver's highly successful season

SEAN MORIARTY REPORTS

Virginia driver Oran England and co-driver Darragh Mullen wrapped up a busy domestic campaign by securing the 2026 Motorsport Ireland National Class 2 Championship title on the final round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship at the STS Group Stonethrowers Rally in Clonmel.

Piloting their Peugeot Ireland-backed, Tom Gahan Motorsport-prepared Peugeot 208 Rally4, the Cavan-Sligo duo mastered the greasy Tipperary asphalt to take Class 2 victory on the day, finishing 18th overall in the main field.

Entering the final round tied on points in the National Class 2 standings with rival Danny Brady, the championship crown came down to a winner-takes-all decider. England built an early lead before a timing issue on stage four dropped the crew to third in class, leaving a 14.3-second deficit to overturn on the final loop. A sharp fightback on the afternoon stages saw England claw back the time and snatch the class win on the rally by just 0.8 seconds to seal the national title.

Despite England securing the round win, Brady’s second-place finish in class proved sufficient for the rival crew to clinch the overall Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland title by a single point, alongside the accompanying European prize drive to Hungary.

England’s national title victory caps off a highly successful season, earning him the rare distinction of securing two separate nominations for the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Driver of the Year Award. His first nomination came via early-season performances, with the second clinched through his National Class 2 title victory. He now turns his attention to the Billy Coleman Award interviews in mid-November.

Reflecting on the championship victory, Oran England said: "We headed into the weekend with a winner-takes-all mindset, determined to give it everything. After dropping back to third on stage four, we had a 14-second gap to make up, but a strong final loop got us back to the top step by just 0.8 seconds. To bounce back after a tough middle part of the year and secure the national championship and another Billy Coleman nomination makes all the hard work worthwhile. Congratulations to Danny on taking the Stellantis title after a great battle all year. Massive thanks to Darragh, Tom Gahan Motorsport, my family, sponsors, and everyone behind the scenes who made this season possible. Now the full focus turns to the Billy Coleman Award."

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy co-driver Darragh Mullen added: "We went to Tipperary with one clear plan: win Class 2 and let the rest take care of itself. After the timing issue on stage four put us 14 seconds down, we had a quick chat in service, put our heads down, and pushed hard on the final loop to get the win and the national championship. It has been brilliant racing all year in such a competitive class, and congrats to Danny on the Stellantis title. Massive thanks to Oran and the whole team for their hard work through a year of ups and downs."

Oran England Motorsport is supported by Peugeot Ireland, Tom Gahan Motorsport, TEE Fire Safety Solutions, BJD Electrical, The Mason's Apron, BSR Plant & Civil, Fortus, Streamline Coaches, Lough Owel Motors, OHR, Kerry Motorsport News, Ballivor Tyres & Car Service Centre, Autosparkey, CA Hire, IRL Motorsport, Petrolthreads, Hotwheels, Torq, McBreen Environmental, and CBM Signs.